9/9/2011

MUSIC FOR A GREAT SPACE PRESENTS:

MANHATTAN PIANO TRIO

Friday, September 9, 2011
7:30 PM
Christ United Methodist Church

 

The Manhattan Piano Trio is one of the most active groups in the classical music scene, welcomed by enthusiastic audiences in over 30 states, Australia and South Africa, and in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Ravinia Festival. The Washington Post described the Trio as "impressive" and "outstanding," while the Sarasota Herald Tribune said, "One seldom is privileged to enjoy music of such a wide range of styles performed with self-effacing skill and relaxed assurance."

Past seasons have brought the group to virtually every part of the country. Highlights include performances and return engagements at the William and Mary College, Shenandoah University, Oxford College of Emory University, Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, Chamber Music Sedona, and Virginia Tech. The Trio has also toured South Africa, performing in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Recognized for its electrifying performances in international competitions, the Trio has captured grand prizes at the Plowman Competition and at the Yellow Springs Competition; runner-up at the Chesapeake Competition; and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Listeners' Choice Award in Melbourne.

FEATURED EDUCATIONAL ARTIST

Strongly committed to educating new generations of musicians and music lovers, the Manhattan Piano Trio enjoys communicating with their audiences through both music and commentary. The Trio also presents master classes and outreach programs to preparatory schools, colleges, and communities wherever it goes. As part of the community rebuilding effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, they were one of the first musical groups to perform in the city and were honored to give a benefit concert at the University of New Orleans.

The Manhattan Piano Trio is an ensemble that embodies, in the deepest sense, the borough that provides its namesake: these three musicians represent starkly different backgrounds, and yet connect on a fundamental level to enjoy making music together. Wayne Lee, violinist, is originally from San Francisco; the group's cellist, Dmitry Kouzov, grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia; and Milana Strezeva, pianist, is a native of Kishinev, Moldova and a naturalized American. In addition to their rigorous concert schedule, the members of the Manhattan Piano Trio are international soloists and recitalists. They are also devoted teachers; Milana and Wayne maintain private studios in New York and Miami, and Dmitry is professor of cello at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The performers all completed graduate degrees at the Juilliard School, and the group still enjoys an active presence in Manhattan.

 

Please thank the sponsor of this concert: